Ok so my tank has been cycling for 5 days now. The ammonia peaked two days ago and the are the test results now.
Ammonia: .50
Nitrite: couldn't tell but between 1 and 2
Nitrate: 40
pH: 8.2
Is this the norm?

You need an ammonia source. Shrimp. Food flakes. Or the best option IMO is ammonia drops bc they can be precisely controlled. The bacteria needs an ammonia source to start the process as well as stay alive.